The Menu (2022) is a horror comedy film starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, Janet McTeeer, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chao, Aimee Carrero and Paul Adelstein. The film is directed by Mark Mylod with a screenplay from Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. The film is produced by Adam McKay and Betsy Koch. The Menu has an extremely intriguing premise: “Young couple Margot and Tyler travel to a remote island to eat at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant run by celebrity chef Slowik, who has prepared a lavish molecular gastronomy menu where food is treated as conceptual art, but his approach to cuisine has some shocking surprises for the wealthy guests.” The film was in the news because of its talented cast. It premiered today at TIFF 2022 and many people have seen it. Let’s see what are their reactions?
The Menu Reviews: Anya Taylor-Joy Gets It Right Once Again?
The film has a stellar critical reception as I haven’t heard even one critics say a bad word about the film. Not to say that the film is a masterpiece but it is certainly extremely entertaining. Performances from Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy have been praised. The Menu at the time of writing has a Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes with 89% Critics Score while on IMDb the film has a score of 8.3/10. While we can only judge properly when we watch, these first reactions can certainly give us an idea. Let’s what they’re saying.
Mae Abdulbaki
Screen Rant
“Audiences may not have much of an appetite after watching the film, but the experience, like Slowik’s promise, will be one they won’t soon forget.”
Original Score: 3.5/5
Meagan Navarro
Bloody Disgusting
“While the sophisticated and dry horror-comedy tantalizes with a feast for the senses and a compelling ensemble cast, The Menu‘s satire lacks bite.”
Original Score: 3/5
Nick Schager
The Daily Beast
“[Fiennes’] performance is in perfect harmony with Mylod’s direction: Both are defined by a rigid, meticulous, luxurious style that masks a wellspring of bitterness, disgust and rage.”
Lovia Gyarkye
Hollywood Reporter
“A vengeful dark comedy that probes percolating class anxieties.”
Benjamin Lee
Guardian
“The Menu might not nail some of the more substantial courses but it’ll do as a light snack.”
AwardsWatch
“The Menu is a savage commentary on our materialistic consumerist tendencies, but surprisingly it is also a tale of reclaiming passion for who you are and what you do. Consider me well-fed, and expect me to return for seconds.”
Original Score: AChris Evangelista
Slashfilm
“Ralph Fiennes Serves Up A Delightfully Wicked Feast.”
Original Score: 7/10
Chase Hutchinson
Collider
“Alas, even with promising ingredients that have been assembled, this tepid thriller is one that grows increasingly tiresome with each course.”
Original Score: C
Christian Blauvelt
indieWire
““The Menu” does do one thing exceptionally well: it holds your attention and makes you think for a time that any outcome is possible. That alone is something to salivate over.”
Original Score: B
